Health department acts to contain measles outbreak

The state Department of Health is warning people who attended a book sale from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 in the lower level of Newport Public Library that they may have been exposed to measles.

Symptoms will begin one to two weeks after exposure and will include runny nose, watery eyes, cough and high fever. After four days, a raised, red rash spreads over the face, body, arms and legs and usually lasts four to seven days.

Measles is caused by a virus and is highly contagious, although most people in this country are immune because they have been vaccinated or were exposed before the vaccination became available.

The Department of Health began its investigation Jan. 25 after learning of an outbreak in Perry County, according to spokesperson Holli Senior. It issued a health alert Jan. 28 for medical providers to be on the lookout for the illness.

“We are aware of five confirmed cases,” Senior said. “They were all in the same household and none of them has a history of measles vaccination.”

The Health Department was awaiting test results to confirm a sixth case in an individual who had contact with members of the household afflicted with measles, she added.

The Perry County household affected by the outbreak has been quarantined.

Groups at risk of becoming infected, according to the Health Department, include:

— Infants less than 1 year old who are too young to have received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination.

— People who were vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine used from 1963 to 1967 and have not been revaccinated.

— People born after 1957 who have received only one dose of MMR vaccine.

— Those who have not been vaccinated.

People with measles can spread the disease for four days before and after the rash has appeared. The MMR vaccine can help prevent infection if it is given within three days of exposure.

Also included in the health department warning is an alert for people who may have visited Lowe’s Home Improvement at 4000 Union Deposit Road between 4 and 7:45 p.m. on Feb. 4.